In response to the recent public executions carried out by the Taliban, Amnesty International has strongly condemned the actions, calling for an immediate cessation of such practices and the abolition of the death penalty altogether.
Livia Saccardi, Amnesty International’s interim Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, expressed firm opposition to the executions, labeling them as blatant violations of the fundamental right to life. She emphasized that the Taliban's persistent public executions not only degrade human dignity but also constitute clear breaches of international laws and standards.
"The Taliban has been repeatedly carrying them out publicly which is a gross affront to human dignity as well as a violation of international laws and standards and cannot be tolerated," stated Saccardi.
Highlighting the inherently cruel nature of public executions, Saccardi stressed that such practices not only dehumanize the victims but also have a brutalizing effect on witnesses. She urged the Taliban to put an end to these executions and to abolish all forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments.
Moreover, Saccardi raised concerns about the lack of fair trial procedures under the Taliban's de facto authority, underscoring the urgent need for international pressure to address human rights violations in Afghanistan.
The recent double public execution, which took place at a stadium in Ghazni City on February 22, saw thousands of spectators witnessing the shooting of two convicted individuals, identified as Syed Jamal and Gul Khan. The executions were reportedly carried out based on a decree by Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and the rulings of three courts. The victims were accused of being responsible for separate stabbing incidents resulting in fatalities.
Amnesty International has previously denounced the resurgence of public executions in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power. Last year, the organization's annual Death Penalty report highlighted a concerning increase in judicial executions globally, with Afghanistan witnessing the highest number of recorded executions since 2017.
As of today, 112 countries have fully abolished the death penalty, with over two-thirds being abolitionist in law or practice. Amnesty International has been actively advocating for the complete abolition of the death penalty since 1977.
The call for an end to executions and the abolition of the death penalty in Afghanistan underscores the importance of upholding fundamental human rights principles and international legal standards in the country. It also emphasizes the critical role of the international community and the United Nations in pressuring the Taliban to respect human rights and adhere to international norms.
Capital Punishment in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008, marking a step towards aligning its legal system with international human rights standards. Before the abolition of the death penalty, the legal framework governing capital punishment in Uzbekistan was delineated by the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Executive Codes. President Islam Karimov spearheaded legal reforms during this period, which involved the formation of a dedicated working group tasked with drafting legislation aimed at introducing alternative sentencing options, such as life imprisonment. International pressure, including from organizations like Amnesty International and Uzbekistan's obligations as an OSCE member, influenced this decision.
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